ABC FAMILY BEGINS PRODUCTION ON DRAMA PILOT "SOCIO" STARRING AVAN JOGIA AND DENISE RICHARDS

Sam Robards has Joined the Cast and Kathy Najimy and Grey Damon will Guest Star

Burbank, CA (October 24, 2012) - ABC Family begins production today on the drama series pilot "Socio," starring Avan Jogia ("Victorious), Maddie Hasson ("The Finder"), Kylie Bunbury ("Prom"), Kimberly Quinn ("Terriers") and Denise Richards ("Two and a Half Men"). Also recently cast in the project is Sam Robards ("Treme," "Gossip Girl"). Kathy Najimy ("Make it or Break It") and Grey Damon ("The Nine Lives of Chloe King") have also been cast as guest stars.

Shooting in New York, "Socio" follows Danny (Jogia), who has returned to town after serving five years in custody for murdering his aunt when he was 11. Admitting his guilt, but stubbornly refusing to discuss his motive, Danny returns to a hostile reception and a media firestorm. Ostracized by his peers, Danny reconnects with his former best friends Jo (Hasson) and Lacey (Bunbury) who are still struggling to put the past behind them. But when another student is murdered, suspicion falls on Danny and the question remains, is Danny a serial slayer, a "socio," or is he a victim with a shocking secret?

Richards portrays Karen, Danny's mother, who once ruled the town's social scene, but who now struggles to put on a brave face with her son returning home under a cloud of scandal and shame. Robards plays Kyle, the town sheriff, and Jo's father, who clashes with his wife Tess (Quinn) over their daughter's renewed friendship with Danny, convinced Danny is a hardened killer. Najimy will guest as Mrs. Fisk, a charismatic, eccentric psychology teacher and Damon plays Archie, Lacey's hotheaded boyfriend, who is not pleased by her renewed friendship with Danny.

Gavin Polone ("Gilmore Girls," ""Zombieland," "Jane by Design") is the executive producer of the pilot, which was written by Adam Milch ("Greek"). The pilot is produced by Prodco, Inc.

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